Best for Me? MODERN MULTIHULLS 2021 Multihulls on Display

ANTARES 44 GS

2021 Multihulls on Display

Our Annual, Virtual Winter Boat Show Highlights 20 New and Noteworthy Multihulls from Around the World

HERE ARE A HOST OF NEW MULTIHULLS

that will be introduced on 2021 and some others that have been around for a while but are well worth mentioning. All of the short reviews are linked to the builders’ homepages so you can stroll our virtual docks and then learn more about boats on the specific webpages. There’s never been a better time to buy a new cruising multihull.

ANTARES 44 GS

A truly specialized cruising boat, the Antares 44GS was designed and built specifically for blue water sailors who want an easily managed cat that offers great seakeeping qualities, a good turn of speed and comfortable accommodation. Built in Buenos Aires, Argentina in limited numbers each year, the boats are unique in that they come fully equipped with all of the systems, gear and electronics you need, all chosen and installed by the builder. Antares 44 GS owners often comment that the cruising cat is very comparable to the quality and ocean sailing ability of Oyster monohulls. LOA 44’7”; Beam 21’8”; Draft 3’11”; Displ. 22,500; Cabins 3; Water 150 gals; Fuel 120 gals. $950,000 Leopard 45 www.antarescatamarans.com

BALANCE 442

BALANCE 442

The all-new Balance 442 that will debut in 2021, is the little sister to the highly regarded Balance 526 and comes with a much lower price tag. The Balance concept was created by The Multihull Company’s founder and president Phil Berman to be that delicate combination of elegance, comfort, blue water robustness and sailing performance. In the 526, Berman and the team of designers and builders in South Africa got it just right. The new 442, which has daggerboards, will certainly take you safely across oceans in comfort and at better than average speeds. LOA 44’3”; Beam 24’11”; Draft boards down 7’1”; Displ. 23,700 lbs.; Cabins 3; Water 150 gals; Fuel 210 gals.; $698,000. www.balancecatamarans. com

BALI 4.6

Introduced last fall, the new Bali 4.6 takes up where the 4.5 left off by offering more open lounging areas and an enlarged forward cockpit. Bali cats are used in the Dream Yacht charter fleets around the world so they are set up for coastal cruising and sailing with a large number of people on board. With up to five cabins available, you see what we mean, since you conceivably could have 10 people on board. Built by Catana in France, the new 4.6 has an indooroutdoor saloon layout and huge flying bridge. Like all Bali cats, the 4.6 has “fun in the sun” written all over it. LOA 46’10”.; Beam 25”2”; Draft 4’; Displ. 30,000 lbs.; Cabins 3 to 5; $590,000 www.bali-catamarans.com

CATANA OCEAN CLASS 50

This year Catana will introduce their all-new performance Ocean Class 50. The new design has been two years in the making and shows fine reverse bows, daggerboards, a light infused hull and a raised single helm station. Carbon spars are also an option for those seeking maximum performance. The saloon and cockpit are joined by three sliding

CATANA OCEAN CLASS 50

glass doors, so the whole space can open up into one. Three or four cabins are available as layout options. Designed for blue water sailing, the Ocean Class 50 has huge tanks for fuel and water, plus ample room for a genset and watermaker. This is truly a family performance cruiser for the adventurous at heart. LOA 49’2”; Beam 25’8”; Displ. 28,000 lbs.; Draft boards down 8’2”; Cabins 3 or 4; Water 211 gals.; Fuel 211 gals; Price on inquiry. www.catana,com

CORSAIR 970 TRIMARAN

Although this design has been around for several years, it remains a classic cruising trimaran that doubles as a high-performance speedster and a fine family cruising boat. The 970 replaced the much loved Corsair 31 of which more than 300 were built. The 970 is roomier, has a fuller main hull, larger more buoyant amas and a good-size cockpit. Unlike most cruising cats, great attention has been paid to the 970 displacement, since the boat is designed for performance but also because it has folding amas, like all Corsairs, and can be towed behind the family SUV. These interesting and somewhat technical tris really appeal to the pure sailors (and often engineers) among us and are more fun to sail than just about any other small cruising boat. LOA 31’10”; Beam folded 8’4”; Beam open 27’ 7”; Displ. 2700 lbs; Cabins 2; Water and Fuel nominal; $167,000. www.corsairmarine.com

CORSAIR 970 TRIMARAN DRAGONFLY 40 TRIMARAN

DRAGONFLY 40 TRIMARAN

The new Dragonfly 40 is truly a blue water boat that could take a couple across oceans and around the world. With folding amas, like its sister ships, the 40 can be fit into a standard marina berth or stored ashore in the same footprint as a monohull. The new 40 is a truly fine sailing machine but the rig and sailing systems have been kept relatively simple as they would on a well fitted cruising boat. Down below the 40 has a proper saloon and galley and berths for up to six adults. Designed and built by Jens Quorning, the Dragonfly 40 is beautifully put together and has a fine Danish-style finish of lightcolored woods and bright bulkheads. This new design should really appeal to North Americans who have been cautious

about tris due to space limitations. You can live aboard the 40 quite easily. LOA 40’8”; Beam folded 13’1”; Beam open 27’7”; Draft board down 7’3”; Cabins 2 to 3; Water 58 gals.; Fuel 40 gals; $680,000. www.dragonfly.dk

EXCESS 11

The third and smallest Excess to come to the market, following the 12 and 15, the new cruising cat from Groupe Beneteau has an all-new hull and deck and a rakish Excess styling. The concepts behind the Excess line of cats, which is part of the same company that builds Lagoon cats, is to target a young, active audience of adventurers who are devoted to water sports and sailing. The 11 offers indoor-outdoor living and a retractable sunroof that opens the cockpit to the sky. The “Pulse” version of the 11 has the performance that will add to the boat’s speed and sailing fun. At 37 feet, the new 11 is one of the smallest and most accessible cruising cats on the market. LOA 37’2”; Beam 21’7”; Draft 3’9”; Displ. 19,840; Cabins 3 to 4; Water 79 gals.; Fuel 52 gals; $290,000. www.excess-catamarans.com

FOUNTAINE PAJOT 51

2021 will see the introduction of a new Fountaine Pajot 51 that will replace the Saba 50 that has been so successful since its launch in 2014. The new 51 advances the FP line and was designed to have as small a carbon footprint as possible. Toward that end, FP worked with their designers and solar energy experts to build into the cabintop dedicated solar arrays that will generate 2,000 watts of electricity. The new cat has the raised helm to starboard. On the flybridge, there is a large lounge, yet when you look at the boat in profile it does not seem boxy or too tall. The cockpit and saloon open into a large indoor-outdoor space for large gatherings and meals. The boat can be built with four, five or six cabins, each with an en suite head. The new 51 is a stunner that will make a great family cruiser or a commodious charter boat. LOA 52’; Beam 26’6”; Displ. 40,000 lbs.; Cabin 4 to 6; Water 237 gals.; Fuel 236 gals; Price on inquiry. www.foutaine-pajot.com

EXCESS 11 FOUNTAINE PAJOT 51

GEMINI 35 LEGACY

Since first being launched in 1981, the Gemini 35 remains the most popular cruising catamaran ever built. Simple and reasonably priced, the Gemini 35 Legacy carries on GEMINI 35 LEGACY the cat’s long tradition of providing a cruising cat that is

easy for a couple to handle, will fit into a normal marina slip since it has only 14 feet of beam and offers great accommodations in a small package. The master cabin forward of the saloon has always been a crowd favorite. That there are two more cabins makes the design all the more remarkable. This is a perfect starter or retirement cat for couples. Not surprisingly, you will find Geminis all over the world. LOA 35’4”; Beam 14’0”; Displ. 9.700 lbs; Cabins 3; $199,000. www.geminicatamarans.com

GUNBOAT 68

The Gunboat brand soared through the multihull world like a meteor when the company was launched 15 years ago as the concept of a high-performance, ultra-luxurious cruising cat fired many sailors’ imaginations. The brand suffered a bankruptcy and was subsequently purchased by the French company that build the Outremer line of cats and several monohulls. The new program began with the new Gunboat 68 that was launched in early 2019. Designed by VPLP, the 68 is built in much the same way as Gulfstream private jets by using hightech subcontractors to build specialized parts that are assembled and finished in the factory in La Grande Motte. The result is one of the most sophisticated cruising boats ever built that combines very highend performance with superyacht luxury and systems. If you are not familiar with the new Gunboat 68, check it out on their website. LOA 69’1”; Beam 29’10”; Draft boards down 13’5”; Displ. 39,00 lbs.; Cabins 4 to 6; Water 200 gals. Fuel 200 gals.; Price on request. www.gunboat.com

HH 50 & 50 OC

The HH 50 was designed by Morelli and Melvin to be a super-fast, high tech performance cruiser for a elite clientele. It now is available in two versions. The all carbon 50, has a thermo-foam cored hull and deck that is ultra-light and stiff, for maximum performance. It has curved, foil-style daggerboards that provide lift as well and pointing ability. The fit and finish of the 50 is second to none and holds up very well when compared to the larger cats in the HH line. But such performance and luxury comes at a price well above a million dollars, so HH has taken the intelligent step of offering the exact same design in a low-tech Ocean Class series. The hull and deck are fiberglass instead of carbon, the dagger boards are replaced with skeg keels and the rig is aluminum instead of carbon. The 50 OC will still sail with most performance cats and will be robust and durable for a long cruise. And, importantly, it costs roughly $400,000 less than the all-carbon 50.

GUNBOAT 68

HH 50 & 50 OC

LOA 51’10”; Beam 24’5”; Draft boards down for 50 10’6”; Draft for 50 OC 5’1”; Displ. For 50 25, 300 lbs; Displ. for 50 OC 29,000 lbs.; Cabins in both versions 3; Price for 50 $1.7 million; Price for 50OC $1.3 million. www.hhcatamarns.com

KINETIC 62

The Kinetic 62, which is built in Knysna, South Africa, is a performance cruising cat with a difference. You will see some elements that appear on other perfor-

mance cats like the forward cockpit, light weight carbon construction and elegant fit and finish. But the first thing you notice about the 62 are the extra large saloon windows that give those in the saloon and galley a panoramic view of the world around them. Plus, the extra headroom in the saloon makes the space seem huge, bright and airy. Built on a semi-custom basis, the Kinetic 62 can have three to six cabins and heads and other owner modifications inside the boat’s structural footprint. The 62 will make a great family cruising boat or work well as a charter cat with a captain and crew. LOA 62’0”; Beam 28’9”; Draft board down 11’6”; Displ. 36,000 lbs.; Cabins 3 to 6; Water 412 gals; Fuel 360 gals. Price on request. www.kineticcatamarans.com

KNYSNA 500

The Knysna 500 is a classic South Africanbuilt cruising cat that, like the Kinetic 62, is built in the port city of Knysna. Sailors and designers who ply this coast are familiar with the Indian Ocean’s wild currents, sudden storms and high seas. The Knysna 500 was built to endure and triumph over whatever the seas throw at her. A boutique builder who is well known for working closely with customers to get a perfect result, Knysna can and does do all kinds of customizations. But, after 18 years of experience with dozens of cus-

tomers, they also know what works and what does not. The Knysna 500 is a cat for a couple who want to explore the world in comfort and safety. LOA 50’0”; Beam 26’1”; Draft 4’9”; Cabins 3 or 4; Water 160 gals; Fuel 160 gals; Price on request. https://knysnayachtco.com/

KINETIC 62

KNYSNA 500

LAGOON 40

LAGOON 40

Lagoon builds a full line of cruising cats in their factories in Bordeaux, France from 40 to 80 feet. Two years ago, the company launched the new 40 and 50 as the start of a trend to modernize the whole line. The 40 is a fine sailing boat that can see the speedo reach into the teens in the right conditions. It is easy to sail and fun. The main mast has been moved well aft to step on the middle of the cabin top. This reduces the size of the mainsail and increases the size of the genoa and reaching sails. The net effect is a boat that is much easier to sail than those with the huge, full battened mains. The 40 is a great boat for a couple and the price is more accessible than most in the 40-foot range. LOA 38’6”; Beam 22’2”; Draft 4’5”; Displ. 23,800 lbs.; Cabins 3 or 4; Water 160 gals; Fuel 110 gals; $345,000. www.cata-lagoon.com

LEOPARD 42

The South African builder Robertson and Caine builds the line of Leopard cats exclusively for Mariner International, which owns The Moorings and Sunsail charter fleets and the marketing rights for the Leopard brand of privately owned cats. Reportedly, sales are split more or less evenly between boats entering the charter fleets and private sales. This year, 2021, Leopard is introducing their new 42 which follows the design trends of the recent 45 and 50. The hulls have pronounced chines that add interior volume. There is a flying bridge with a lounge, which is accessible to the raised helm station on the starboard side. With either three or four cabins, each with an en suite head, the 42 will make a fine couple’s of family cruising for sailing anywhere in the world. LOA 42’7”; Beam 23’1”; Draft 4’7”; Displ. 26,100; Cabin 3 or 4; Water 175 gals; Fuel 160 gals.; $450,000 www.leopardcatamarans.com

MAJESTIC 530

Built in Durban South Africa on a semi-custom basis, the Majestic 530 has been in production for more than a decade. The current 530 version is an evolution from

MAJESTIC 530

LEOPARD 42

the 500 with the addition of longer sterns that balance the boat and offer a longer waterline. The 530 is a huge 53 footer that can be configured in a number of different layouts to suit a family’s needs; The fit and finish is superb in a traditional mode with a very high degree of custom hand joinery. A solid ocean-going cruising boat, the Majestic 530 makes for a luxurious, comfortable and unique cruisnig home. LOA 53’3”; Beam 28’3”; Draft 4.7”; Displ. 45,000 lbs.; Cabins 3 to 6; Water 140 gals; Fuel 140 gals; Price on request. www.royalcapecatamarans.com

MAVERICK 400

Another South African boutique builder, Maverick set out to design a couple’s cruising boat that was capable of handling the rough waters around the Cape of Good Hope in safety and comfort. The 400’s rig is simple and efficient for a lone watch stander to handle. The cockpit and raised helm are protected from the elements. The interior is more like a home than a boat’s interior and will make living aboard for long periods a real pleasure. Mavericks are built on a semi-custom basis so you can have the boat laid out for your specific needs. LOA 40’0”; Beam 24’5”; Daft 2’11”; Displ. 22,000 lbs.; Cabins 3 or 4; Water 260 gals.; Fuel 110 gals; $612,000. www.maverick.life

NAUTITECH OPEN 46

The lines of the new series of cruising cats from French-builder Nautitech have always been distinctively modern and stylish and the performance for cats without daggerboards has been excellent. So, it is interesting that the company has taken their successful 46 and 46 Flybridge and rejiggered them with serious upgrades and redesigns. The lowslung cabin top fits visually very neatly with the straight sheer lines of the hulls

and the slightly raked bows. The cockpit and saloon open into a wide social space and the sleeping cabins are truly spacious due to the volume created by the full-length hard chines. This is a big 46 footer and will make a great family cruising boat that is fun to sail. LOA 45’3”; Beam 24’9”; Draft 4’9”; Displ. 23,800 lbs.; Cabins 3 or 4; Water 160 gals.; Fuel 160 gals.; $550,000. www.nautitechcatamarans.com

NAUTITECH OPEN 46

NEEL 47 TRIMARAN

NEEL 47 TRIMARAN

Winner of the 2020 European Multihull of the Year Award, the NEEL 47 is a unique cruising boat that Eric and Barbara Bruneel, the builders, designed for themselves and their family for cruising vacations. It just happened that everyone loved the design and the 47 has become an instant classic. Truly innovative in concept and design, the NEEL tris put the saloon of their boats on top of the hulls instead of down inside them. In essence the boats have the performance of a trimaran and the living space of a catamaran. Amazing. The 47 changed that a little, by having cabins inside the amas as well as a master cabin in the saloon space. This arrangement works very well. A couple or a family of four or five would be happy on the 47 for weeks at a time. LOA 46’7”; Beam 27’3”; Draft 5’3”; Displ. 23,000 lbs.; Cabins 3; Water 160 gals; Fuel 80 gals. $540,000. www.neel-trimarans.com

OCEAN EXPLORER 60

Built in Finland by master boatbuilders and experts with decades of experience, the Ocean Explorer 60 was designed by German Frers. Although Frers is better known for monohulls, this example of his catamaran design shows that he is a genius no matter how many hulls the boat has. The OE 60 is a supremely elegant looking cat, with highly refined hulls with daggerboards, and a cabintop that has been sculpted to fit over the cabin like folded bird wings. The 60 has a commodious cockpit that flows naturally into the saloon and galley. With large windows all around, the saloon is full of light and natural ventilation. If you think of Baltic Yachts in Finland as one to the world’s leading builders of custom monohulls, then

OCEAN EXPLORER 60

think of Ocean Explorer as something very similar in multihulls. LOA 60’8”; Beam 29’9”; Draft boards down 6’7”; Displ. Not available; Cabins 4 to 6; Price on request. www.oceanexplorercatamarans.com

OUTREMER 55

The brand new Outremer 55 is scheduled to debut at the International Multihull Show in France in April, pandemic willing. The new 55 footer is a very sleek take on the already sleek lines of the 51 and

OUTREMER 55

5X by the same builder. The coach roof is low and slightly curved for a fine winglike appeal. The twin helms are raised so you can see clearly over the coach roof. The cockpit is huge and joins the saloon neatly through sliding doors. The new 55 walks the fine line between truly high performance, with a large sail plan and daggerboards, and awesome cruising comfort. This is a go anywhere cruising boat for sailors who demand great sailing characteristics. LOA 54’11”; Beam 27’3”; Draft boards down 7’0”; Displ. 30,500 lbs.; $1.4 million. www.catamaran-outremer.com

PRIVILEGE 510 SIGNATURE

Launched last year, the Privilege 510 is a new start for the company after being purchased by the Hanse Group. The boat has a centerline flybridge where all control lines lead to a central set of line stopers and winches. The saloon and cockpit offer plenty of places to sit and the galley is more like a home kitchen than a galley. The unique and wonderful feature of the 510 and the Privilege line is the master cabin forward of the saloon that runs almost the full width of the boat. With large windows, this is a master cabin with the emphasis on “master.” The 510, like all Privileges, has a super yacht level of fit and finish. LOA 50’0”; Beam 26’2”; Draft 5’2”; Displ. 37,000 lbs.; Cabins 4 to 5; Water 158 gals; Fuel 210 gals; $1.3 million. www.hanseyachtsag.com

SEAWIND 1600

Seawind catamarans of Australia has launched hundreds of cruising cats in the 34 to 44 foot range over the last 25 years and you will find them cruising worldwide. With the 52-foot 1600, the company is expanding their reach and entering a segment of the market where there is a lot of competition. Happily for Seawind and their customers, the new Seawind 1600 is not another cookie cutter catamaran. It was designed by Reichel-Pugh so performance will not be an issue, especially as the boat has daggerboards and lifting rudders. The cockpit has twin helms aft and a small dining table. The saloon is large and the galley a work of refined culinary art. With a large owner’s cabin to starboard and two guest cabins to port, the 1600 sets up as a truly fine couple’s voyaging boat.

PRIVILEGE 510 SIGNATURE SEAWIND 1600

ST. FRANCIS 50 MK2

Built in Vietnam, the finish and joinery are superb. LOA 51’8”; Beam 25’11”; Draft boards down 8’6”; Displ. 28,660 lbs.; Cabins 3 or 4; Water 158 gals.; Fuel 198 gals; $899,00. www.seawindcats.com

ST. FRANCIS 50 MK2

One of the original boutique cat builders in South Africa, St. Francis, which is based in Ft. Francis Bay, builds their 50 MK2 on a semi-custom basis and continually updates and improves what is now a fairly venerable hull and deck design. The boat was conceived from the start as a couple’s circumnavigation machine, capable of rounding all the great southern capes and doing so with a good turn of speed and plenty of robust safety. The cockpit is not overly large and will be dry in bad weather. The saloon is open and airy and again not large. The typical 50 has a master cabin to starboard and two guest cabins to port but the boats are built to order and can be modified to an owner’s whims. If you have any doubt the 50 is a pure voyaging boat, check out how much fuel and water she carries. LOA 50’0”; Beam26’3”; Draft 4’1”; Displ. 27,600 lbs.; Cabins 3 or 4; Water 355 gals; Fuel 232 gals.; Price upon request. www.stfranciscatamarans.com

SUNREEF 50

Sunreef is known for cruising cats at the very high end of the luxury and price scale. Their new 50, which is the smallest